Top Scholarships for Nursing Students with Upcoming Deadlines

It's no secret that nurses are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates 193,100 openings for registered nurses each year through 2032. Attending nursing school can put you in a position to help others and make money with high job security. However, it can be a stressful profession—and a costly one.

In this guide, we'll review the best ways to pay for a nursing degree:

1. Exclusive nursing scholarships
2. Organizations that fund nursing scholarships (ex., Nurse Corps Scholarship)
3. Loan repayment programs for nurses
4. How to win nursing scholarships
5. Recommendations for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) vs Registered Nurses (RNs)

As a trusted resource for student finances, Bold.org connects nursing students with scholarships and credible organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA) and Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association (FNSNA).

If you're pursuing a nursing education, we strongly recommend that you apply to multiple forms of financial aid to avoid incurring an unreasonable amount of student debt. Here's a breakdown of average educational costs by degree, according to Nurse Journal:

1. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Yearly Cost: $12,300
2. Bachelor of Science in Nursing BSN) Yearly Cost: $30,884
3. Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN) Yearly Cost: $33,150
4. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Yearly Cost: $61,080

With these costs in mind, keep reading to explore top nursing scholarships, strategies for winning scholarships, and a walkthrough of the application process.

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Best Nursing Scholarships to Pay for Nursing School

1. Biology Scholarships

Biology scholarships support students studying life sciences, a foundation for many nursing programs. These awards are ideal for nursing majors with a strong interest in human anatomy, physiology, or medical research. They can help reduce tuition costs while encouraging deeper exploration of the biological sciences that underpin modern healthcare.

2. Public Health Scholarships

Public health scholarships are great for nursing students interested in community health, disease prevention, and health policy. These awards often support minority nurses, undergrad students, and other health professionals working toward roles that improve population health.

3. Healthcare Scholarships

Healthcare scholarships offer broad financial support for students pursuing careers in nursing, medicine, and allied health fields. They're a flexible option for nursing students, especially those still exploring their exact career path within the healthcare system.

4. Medical Assistant Scholarships

Medical assistant scholarships are designed for students in programs that train them to support doctors and nurses in clinical settings. These awards can benefit nursing students who began as medical assistants or plan to work in similar entry-level roles before advancing their careers.

5. Physician Assistant Scholarships

Physician assistant scholarships help students pursuing PA programs, which require similar coursework to advanced nursing degrees. Nursing students planning to transition into or compare careers with physician assistant roles may find these scholarships relevant and rewarding.

Best Nursing Scholarships for Graduate Students

1. Need-Based Scholarships

Graduate nursing students will likely qualify for these grants, intended to help students make up the difference between what they can afford and how much their programs cost. With a combination of financial aid packages, your graduate school expenses can be manageable.

2. Grants to Pay Off Student Loans

These grants help nursing graduates reduce their student loan debt, often in exchange for working in underserved communities or critical-need areas. They're a valuable option for those already in the field or nearing graduation. Many graduate students incur some loan debt regardless of their finances, meaning you'll likely be able to apply for these scholarship opportunities.

3. Gap Year Scholarships

Gap year scholarships support students who take time off between high school and college or during their college journey. These awards can help nursing students fund service, travel, or healthcare-related experiences that enhance their education before returning to school. Undergraduate students planning to take a gap year before returning to apply for graduate nursing programs can also qualify for these grants.

Search the full range of scholarships on Bold.org—if your major, interest, or demographic wasn't listed above, be sure to check our entire scholarship offerings as well!

Critical Shortage Facility Service: Meeting Financial Need

Besides applying for more nursing scholarships, students can also enroll in repayment programs funded by state or federal sources that pay tuition and other educational costs in exchange for service in communities with fewer health resources.

Rural communities or areas that lack primary care health professionals may see negative healthcare outcomes in children and families. In an effort to improve health equity, organizations like the Nurse Corps Program award scholarships to nursing students who agree to work in underserved locations or an NHSC-approved site.

1. Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

Improving the health, care, and funding of any given community begins with nurses. More nursing staff who provide quality care and attention can positively impact healthcare outcomes and make a significant local impact.

How to Apply for Nursing Scholarships

Applying for scholarships can be a streamlined, easy process. Any students enrolled in nursing programs can apply for nursing scholarships. The application typically consists of just two parts: filling out your personal information and writing a personal statement. Sometimes, the essay isn't even required.

1. How to Find Nursing Scholarships

Search for scholarships at both the local and national levels.

1. On the local level, ask your school offices for scholarships that your district or regional organizations host. Students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees should ask their university's financial aid office.
2. On a national level, make use of online scholarship platforms like Bold.org. These sites compile hundreds of existing scholarships into one database, allowing you to search for scholarships that apply to you easily. Undergraduate nursing students can search for undergraduate scholarships, while graduate students might search for nursing scholarships with higher requirements, like hands-on experience in a healthcare office.

Find Scholarships by Eligibility Requirements

In addition, search for scholarships based on specific requirements such as the type of program you intend to pursue, a specific area of nursing, or other eligibility requirements. For example:

1. Search by degree: Community college students can apply for community college scholarships, while those seeking an associate degree can apply for associate scholarships, and so on.
2. Search by type of financial assistance: Loan repayment programs, scholarships, loan forgiveness, and other funding opportunities are all distinct types of financial aid. As communities experience a lack of staff and nurse faculty members, some loan repayment assistance programs will provide aid to nurses willing to work in Critical Shortage Facility areas.
3. Search by level of experience: Some scholarships are only open to applicants with certain levels of experience. For example, a scholarship might ask for applicants who have worked on significant research projects—in that case, doctoral students would be good candidates. Alternatively, some scholarships might only be open to nurses who are members of professional organizations or have bachelor's science degrees in addition to nursing training.

2. Fill Out the Application

This is the easiest part—once you've identified nursing scholarships for which you're eligible, just fill out the form and attach any necessary documents. The application might ask for:

1. Transcripts
2. Proof of enrollment in a degree program
3. Documents to demonstrate financial need
4. Documents to demonstrate intent to pursue the nursing profession
5. Student resume
6. Letters of recommendation

3. Write the Essay, Emphasizing an Interest in Health Care

The second part of the scholarship application is the essay. Scholarships usually fall into one of two categories:

1. No-essay scholarships
2. Essay scholarships

Make sure you know which type of scholarship you're applying for to avoid filling out the application incorrectly. Most scholarships require an essay, but not all of them.

The essay question aims to help donors understand why you deserve to win the prize money over everyone else. Tell them about your specific goals and dreams—whether you plan to pursue a doctoral nursing program or a specialized field of nursing like maternal-child nursing.

Tips for Undergrad and Graduate Nursing Students

Tips for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) Seeking Financial Support

An LPN is not a mandatory step in pursuing nursing, but it can be a good stepping stone. LPNs work in healthcare facilities such as long-term care or home care. Their scope of work is not as broad as that of registered nurses.

You can apply for an LPN program with a high school diploma, and will need a year or two of education at a community college or technical school.

What Scholarships Should LPNs Apply For?

LPNs may want to apply for grants that assist students pursuing associate nursing degrees, including:

1. Scholarships for high school seniors
2. Associate degree scholarships
3. Grants to pay off student loans
4. Loan repayment programs

Tips for Registered Nurses (RNs) Seeking Financial Aid

Registered Nurses work in hospitals or public health and education facilities. Forensics and research positions may also be considered. RNs can take a variety of educational programs to attain the registered nurse title, but all registered nurses will need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam.

Programs to become a registered nurse include:

1. Diploma Nurse: A two-year program offered by a hospital, technical, or vocational school. This is not considered a college degree.
2. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): A two to three-year degree at a community college.
3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A four-year college degree at an accredited school that can allow you to pursue further education, such as a master's degree, graduate programs, and more.

What Scholarships Should RNs Apply For?

Consider acquiring a Bachelor of Science in Nursing for higher base salaries, and apply for:

1. Nursing school scholarships
2. Bachelor's degree scholarships
3. Master's degree scholarships
4. Loan forgiveness programs

Many scholarships receive applications from far more students than they can provide funding for, which is why it's imperative that students apply to a wide range of aid and find scholarships directly relevant to their program.

Additional Resources for Funding a Degree in Nursing

1. American Nurses Association

The ANA is made up of nurse practitioners, registered nurses enrolled in degree programs, and other healthcare professionals. Students can join the American Nurses Association (ANA) as student subscribers—you don't have to be a registered nurse to participate. The ANA Profession Kit is a collection of online resources created by established health professionals. In addition, the ANA has its own career center, which can help students with occupational placement and deciding what health professions are a good fit for them.

2. Lippincott Nursing Center

The Lippincott Nursing Center aims to support future nurses with blog articles, guides, and test prep so that the next generation of nurses is well-equipped to provide medical care. This platform provides NCLEX preparation tests and guides, along with articles on what to expect for different stages of nursing education, like clinical rotations.

3. Osmosis Nurse Resources

Osmosis provides free online study materials for STEM students. They also have a section specifically for nursing students, including expert-reviewed content, practice tests, and lecture videos. They also host webinars that have both academic content and professional content, like seminars on how to pass the NCLEX, and lectures on how to cultivate a positive work environment for yourself, your colleagues, and your patients.

4. National Student Nurses Association

The NSNA provides networking conferences, NCLEX test prep, and more connective or educational resources for nursing students. They also host a number of smaller awards, such as the $100 Robert Piemonte Excellence award.

Sign up for a free Bold.org profile today and apply for scholarships now to maximize your chances of winning. Check out the scholarship blog for more free resources and guides to help you navigate higher education.